Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Nxe5
5… Qe7+0.38
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit (C47), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Nxe5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Qe7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.38).
Top engine moves
- +0.385… Qe7 6. Qd3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 Nxe4 8. Qe3 Nd6 9. c3 Nf5 10. Nxc6
- +0.425… Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qe7 7. f3 Nxe5 8. dxe5 Qxe5 9. Qd4 d6 10. a4
- +0.635… O-O 6. Nxc6 dxc6 7. e5 Ne4 8. Qd3 Bf5 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Nxe5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Qe7 for Black, continuing 6. Qd3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 Nxe4 8. Qe3 Nd6 9. c3 Nf5 10. Nxc6. White is slightly better (+0.38). The next best moves are 5… Bxc3+ (+0.42) and 5… O-O (+0.63).
Is the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.38: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit?
C47. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).